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Day 3: Hope

It’s been a while since I wrote on political happenings. But then it has been a while since something so envigorating has happened.

Yes,I am talking about the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP). They have done what was seemingly impossible – brought in a fresh wave of honesty and accountability into Indian politics. Despite all the nay-sayers, they managed to get such a huge number of seats. For a first time party, I think it was stupendous. The icing on the cake is, of course, the fact that they have done all the right things as soon as they started governance. And for a change, it does seem that we are talking about the ‘governing party’, as opposed to the ‘ruling party’ that we had been talking about.

Are all their policies right? Well, they seem to be alright to me, but then I am no expert. However, what I do think is that they do have their heart in the right place. If their policies are not effective enough, I do think that they would be open to changes/criticism to ensure that they do what they set out to do. So far, not only have they done what they promised about the water and electricity charges, they have also tackled huge issues of night shelters in Delhi, things which previous governements did little about. News like the manner in which the young minister, Rakhi Birla has already set about her job, is so heartening to read. For once, we can see the will to do things rather than politicians waxing eloquent about stuff and not doing a thing that actually matters( à la Rahul Gandhi, for instance). Are they perfect? Of course not. But they are pretty much as perfect as it gets at this point in time.

It feels like the dawn of a new era. Which is probably why the old time politicians have suddenly started to get edgy, uncomfortable. I find it funny that parties like the Congress which have had so many years to do all this, are now trying to ensure that AAP does what it promises to do, in 2 days. And BJP seeing how AAP could cut into their vote share, is all jittery and will do anything to discredit AAP(not that they are succeeding, they just sound childish and silly).

While I can understand the politicians reacting this way, I find it hard to understand people like you and me being cynical about AAP. I wonder how our expectations are so low from the other parties and yet, we are so demanding from this fledging party, which is trying its best to stem the rot that has been part of the system for so many years. At the very least, I would say AAP is forcing the other parties to adopt austerity measures and talking of things that so far was never even discussed. While I do understand that there have always been upright, non-corrupt, austere people across parties, the true difference in AAP is the fact that it is the party line. It is their way of life, while in other parties they are more the exception than the norm.

Also, AAP has forced the debate on the things that actually matter. We are now talking about the basic needs that our governments of the past have not bothered to address, and seeing the way AAP is taking action, it is clear that things can be done when there is political will. And my hope is that having had a taste of governance, the people of India will refuse to let good governance and accountability be a dormant option going forward. Hate them or love them, there is no doubt that AAP has changed the way people viewed politics.

Of course, not everybody sees them with the rosy glasses I have on, but I can only speak for myself and I have to say that AAP makes me hopeful. AAP gives me that hope that politics will not remain the refuge of the scoundrel. People like you and me could join and work for the country, if we so wished to. Hope, for a better future for our country, that is what AAP stands for, for me. And for that, I am grateful.

My vote is not for AAP, more because of the ideology they come from, which will shape the party’s progress. It is commendable that people have given them a chance, and I hope they do take up serious issues and deliver on their promises. Another thing, I don’t think one ought to let up on expectations to deliver, whichever be the party in power:)

I do hope they take up all the major issues and deliver on their promises too.

‘ I don’t think one ought to let up on expectations to deliver, whichever be the party in power’ – Couldn’t agree more. I think we have got so used to the type of ‘ruling’ that parties do, we have forgotten to demand more from our so-called leaders.

1.Their leader Yogendra Yadav openly states they are a socialistic-Marxist organisation which makes them open to being Marxist-naxalite influenced.
2. Marxist want to bring a Soviet style govt in India. We know what happened to Soviet Union.
2. They want to give power subsidies and free-water, indicate a strong socialist bent. Curious they are extending this free-water to meter owners only, what about the rest of the poor slum dweller and those who don’t have meters?
3.Their volte-face by forming a govt. with the Congress, after attacking them on corruption in the beginning. Now asking BJP for proof that Sheila Dixit is corrupt!
4.Then the farce around a Govt. bungalow. Now Kejriwal rents another apartment on tax payer expense
5. Also interesting to know they are funded by Ford Foundation, who is CIA front to install US proxy govts like in Latin America

I am afraid I did not have this info that you list and most of it is new for me.

What I do know though is before we judge these people we must give them a fair trial. I mean if the vote is not for AAP then your vote is for the BJP or CONG? is what I assume.

My question to you is are you more hopeful of them than the AAP?

We all know how UPA has done and I come from Gujarat where Mr. Modi has been there claiming a model state and I frankly have had enough of these two. What the AAP brings to the table of Indian politics is a lot of accountability which was completely amiss in Indian politics.

Whether their economic model will work only time will tell, whether they are a Marxist influenced group and whether the Indian public will welcome that idea will also be determined by time. I think they are still work in progress and are forming a very interesting mix. Capt Gopinath, Balakrishnan have joined in. I clearly feel its too soon to judge them, but I must say they give me much more hope than any other party around currently.

Also if you could mail links/articles about them being funded bye ford foundation and its links to CIA, Their marxist connection, I haven’t heard Yadav openly state that, ,maybe I missed. I would actually want to read up on that… if you can do mail me at dhiren464 at gmail.com or you can mail to smitha and she can pass the links to me if mailing me is not ok with you.

I have been supporting AAP however, I don’t want to blindly do that and hence I would like to read up max things I can.

1.Their leader Yogendra Yadav openly states they are a socialistic-Marxist organisation which makes them open to being Marxist-naxalite influenced.
2. Marxist want to bring a Soviet style govt in India. We know what happened to Soviet Union.Points 1 & 2, I haven’t come across articles saying this yet. I have come across people saying that he said this, but no concrete links or articles to that effect. I have also read that he was Rahul Gandhi’s advisor and so is a Congress mole in AAP. Can’t help wonder which of these are true and which are just conspiracy theories trying to discredit AAP.
2. They want to give power subsidies and free-water, indicate a strong socialist bent. Curious they are extending this free-water to meter owners only, what about the rest of the poor slum dweller and those who don’t have meters?From what I understood, they are not giving free water or free electricity. There is a cap limit beyond which it will be charged. Think about it, it will be the poor who will be able to limit their electricity and water utilization, so the stand the benefit the most. The rich and the middleclass will most likely end up paying for what they use. So it isn’t exactly free electricity, so it sounds like a good plan to me. Secondly for the slum dwellers who don’t have connection, I did see the spokesperson on some channel saying that it would be part of the next steps of their plan. Which sounds fair to me. They are talking about connecting everybody to the water/electricity network – which is something that should have been done ages ago. The parties that have been in power for so long have done nothing about it, and yet have no qualms in being up in arms and expecting AAP to fix everything in two days – sounds like hypocrisy to me.
3.Their volte-face by forming a govt. with the Congress, after attacking them on corruption in the beginning. Now asking BJP for proof that Sheila Dixit is corrupt!They haven’t formed a govt with the congress, I thought that it was clear. Congress is giving them outside support, which just means that they have a minority govt. When AAP refused to form the govt initially, both BJP and the Congress were up in arms saying that they were shying away from their ‘responsibility’ to the people. And when they did, and a minority govt, without any alliances, they get accused of teaming up with the Congress. And as for asking for proof against Sheila, all he said was, do send us the proof and we will action it right away. I don’t understand why it needs to be read in any other way.
4.Then the farce around a Govt. bungalow. Now Kejriwal rents another apartment on tax payer expense

Well, now he has said he will not move into the apartment. The reason he didnot want to move into the Govt Bungalow was because it was extremely expensive and he wanted to stay away from that sort of opulent living. But, he has since then decided not to, in face of criticism. I wish he would publish figures as to how much the govt would have saved by him not staying in the Govt bungalow and the other apartment instead. Then we could come to a more informed conclusion. And maybe find a way of using these empty govt bungalows. May be rent it out to make the govt some extra money? But what I like is that he does seem to listen to what the people are saying.
5. Also interesting to know they are funded by Ford Foundation, who is CIA front to install US proxy govts like in Latin America
I have no idea about this. I have heard the BJP accusing the AAP of this, but don’t have a clue, to be honest. And nor do I know who funds the other political parties either. So unless every party comes clear on their funding, it is rather pointless to point fingers at AAP alone, don’t you think?

I am still on the fence about this one. It only goes to show how cynical or indifferent I have become about our political system. But I agree absolutely that there’s a change in the air about Indian politics and the system. AAP has made some big promises. If they delivery on the minimum basic necessities and protection for women, I would support them. Here’s hoping AAP would bring about a change for a better future!

I guess we are on the same page on this and we have discussed this a lot!

Yes, we have, haven’t we 🙂

I hope they get a good long term and a chance to do work, even err and to correct their mistakes.

I do too, Hitchy, I do too.

How people think that they are evil is beyond me, those who do have to be termed cynical in my book. Those who think their policies are no good, I believe I would like to ask them if they believed the way the country was being run for 67 years run by great policies?

Exactly! Exactly what I want to know too!

For one and all I would just like people to see how they work and then judge them, not be too hasty and give them a fair chance. They do talk the right things and I can connect to them.

‘They do talk the right things and I can connect to them. ‘ – Same here.

I hope a large majority also does connect to them.

I hope and think that lots of people do connect to them. I think a lot of intellectuals do not, though.

If these AAP people actually prove that so far all they have done is drama and then suddenly become a second BJP or a Congress I will be ready to call the bluff. But won’t write them off before they get a fair trial!

Absolutely!
I mean we can digest coal, 2g, fodder scams, 26/11, 2002 riots and what not! Then surely we can digest AAP as a party too. Why people are scared of them or weary is absolutely beyond me!

It is as if everything else is acceptable but a party who wants to do the right things should never be given a chance.

//I wonder how our expectations are so low from the other parties and yet, we are so demanding from this fledging party, which is trying its best to stem the rot that has been part of the system for so many years.//

Read something similar at Deeps too, and yes I agree AAP is like a different picture from the rest. People are so bitter about the political scene over so many years, that it’s difficult to digest an actual party that does something worthwhile.

But it’s always better to watch than run them down without giving them a chance. I mean, we don’t have fantastic options either!